We need to give mark Hughes time to prove himself (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

It would be easy to sit here, on the opposite side of the Atlantic, and criticise Mark Hughes and his tactics during the club’s ‘tour’ of America.

The truth is, a pre-season tour (can it really be called a ‘tour’?) has very little to do with the results on the pitch, and instead on the fitness-building of players who have had a few weeks on holiday.

Despite this, a 1-0 victory in the early hours of Sunday morning against FC Dallas may be the start of some much-needed confidence and stability heading into the final stages of pre-season.

To date, Hughes – like every other manager speaking during pre-season – has emphasised the importance of fitness over results; of aclimatising players to ‘new methods’ on and off the pitch.

Whilst true in pre-season, such talk will hold little substance in the Premier League.

When Hughes was appointed as manager, taking over from Pulis, I didn’t see it as a permanent replacement. Maybe that can be seen as a little naive, or maybe a little hopeful.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than willing to give Hughes a chance to succeed. Where football is concerned, I’m a relatively patient fan, and won’t be calling for Sparky’s head should we lose at Anfield on the opening day of the season.

Instead, I felt that the chairman had appointed Hughes as a bridging manager, to ease into the more ‘attractive’ football tactics that teams like Arsenal, Swansea and Chelsea have begun to deploy in a style similar to Barcelona.

To go from Pulis’ substance-over-style tactics to Martinez’s or Guardiola’s style-over-substance would have been too bold a leap in one go, especially when considering the type of players currently at the club.

Last season, Pulis tried on a few occasions to employ this type of tactic – and failed. I don’t think it was so much down to his lack of knowledge of the game, but more that the players he had brought in didn’t fit into the system.

Now, Hughes has begun to bridge that gap with the signings of Muniesa and Pieters, whilst being very vocal in the US of his ‘new’ tactical approach.

It’ll be a tough season, as Hughes tries to coax the older players into playing the newer tactics. Pulis found that tough when he tried that mid-season, but Hughes has had a full pre-season to ready them.

And that’s why it was crucial that the new manager was appointed rapidly after the announcement of Pulis leaving. Delays would have meant that preparations would have been eating into the season.

It’s important that expectations are managed; don’t expect massive gains, but at the same time we shouldn’t be showing signs of a backward step.

Given time, Hughes could be a huge asset in helping move the club onto the next stage in club football.

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